Hey I have been lying in bed since 11:00 this is day 5. Yesturday I went to the phsyc unit cuz I am just a mess they change my benzo from ativan to xanax I though Sleep will come now it relaxed me but that is it. I just read Hope12 message and right now I feel the same way. I have been thinking though. I know this is not a question for here but may but I don't know were eles to go with it. so I have told you that I use to self mutilate. It started when I was 12 I got a handle on it about three and a half years ago when I prttey much had to had my hand sowne back on. I know this is sick to think about but it help me when I did it. so anyways could this be another way of self mutilation? I mean I have had a sleeping problem a long time But it like just in the last 2 1/2 years it has gotten to the point were I am just spinning like now. I don't know what to do anyone have any suggestion? please because the pro can't figure it out.
Goddess Bless
Stacey

I'm so so sorry all your problems seem to have come together. Have you ever been treated for OCD?? Years ago, when my OCD was ruling my life, I went to an OCD support group. There was a fellow there who called himself a "cutter"--self-mutulation. He was being helped by drugs and therapy. I don't know what happened with him after I stopped going to the meetings--but he was on the road to recovery. As for my own OCD....the drug Prozac practically stopped it in its tracks. And there are newer OCD drugs out there today. Depressed, anxious people are sometimes "wired" to using OCD permutations to ease what they're feeling. Have you discussed this with a psychiatrrist? I was helped so much by this drug--when no other antidepressant had been able to stop my OCD. (I now take both Prozac and Wellbutrin.) For about 12 years now, the OCD has nearly stopped. From what I've learned, self-cutting can be an OCD problem. (There's an OCD board on these Baords..but don't know how active they are.) I do hope you are feeling better soon.

Hang in there Stacey!!!!!! :)
I met a guy when i was in detox that was a "cutter"....
I really feel for ya, girl.
Keep praying for strength, i will say a prayer for you, too!
luv,
LISA

Staceyy-
Remember i told you-you remind me of my sister?Shes a cutter..she hasn't done it for about 6 months..but she has bi-polar/a host of other stuff-x-heroin addict..too.
Why did they take you off the ativan?
Are you on any other psych meds?
Goddess Bless you!
Heather

Hey Stacey,

I am not trying to sound like a "drug pusher" and would only recommend these for a short period of time, but you may want to try Ambien. It is a non-narcotic, non-benzo sleep aid (it is actually a hypnotic type of sleep aid). This works wonder for me. If I haven't slept in three or four days, I will take half an Ambien and be out twenty minutes later and sleep 7-8 hours and feel great the next morning (no "hungover" feeling). Or, you may want to try just a muscle relaxer after a long, hot bath! Again, not trying to push more drugs on you, but I KNOW how debililtating it can be to not sleep. I saw a sleep specialist once and he said it was safer to take something occasionally and get a good night's sleep rather than to continue to deprive your body of sleep (he actually encourages me to take an Ambien every night, but I don't)!

Hang in there, girl, and hope you get some sleep soon. God bless,
michelle :)

Hey I have been lying in bed since 11:00 this is day 5. Yesturday I went to the phsyc unit cuz I am just a mess they change my benzo from ativan to xanax I though Sleep will come now it relaxed me but that is it. I just read Hope12 message and right now I feel the same way. I have been thinking though. I know this is not a question for here but may but I don't know were eles to go with it. so I have told you that I use to self mutilate. It started when I was 12 I got a handle on it about three and a half years ago when I prttey much had to had my hand sowne back on. I know this is sick to think about but it help me when I did it. so anyways could this be another way of self mutilation? I mean I have had a sleeping problem a long time But it like just in the last 2 1/2 years it has gotten to the point were I am just spinning like now. I don't know what to do anyone have any suggestion? please because the pro can't figure it out.
Goddess Bless
Stacey

Stacey, I never understood cutters until after my husband died and then I started. I had a therapist who had experience and had done it some too. She said that it is in and of itself addicting. I still get a little urge now and then when I am down on myself. It's just like you have to stop, because you do it once and you want to do it again. I think about scars and I think about my kids and I was able to stop. Also I'm on the prozac, which helps alot. Can't remember if you are on any antidepressants? It might really help. I suffer from OCD and will always have to be on something. I am so so sorry you are having a hard time.

I have to run because the girls are calling, but let me know if you need to talk. I am praying for you and thinking of you.

luv,
rosie